Tlisane said it was a pity that Masinga was not honoured while he was still alive. "Its strange, he was honoured overseas where he played but back home, especially here in Khuma, we do not even have a street named after him," he said.

Masinga's friend Mlungisi Alexander said Masinga's death destroyed him. "I'm destroyed, I feel very bad, I do not know if I will be able to cope with normal business tomorrow," he said.

Alexander said Masinga was a great person to be with. "He was generous and committed to the cause of action."

Khuma has produced other former soccer players such as Tlisane, Alexander, and Shakes Maboke.

But resident Brian Fesi said Masinga stood out. "This township produced public figures especially in soccer and in government, three former MECs came from here, but Chippa outshone them."

He said even though they thought he would revive Khuma through soccer, he had bigger plans as he focused on the mining industry after retiring from football.

He said Masinga wanted to raise funds through mine waste solutions, and rock dump rehabilitation that was supposed to develop the town.

"So the only opportunity that was reserved was those rock dumps. It triggered him as he saw it as a gateway to develop Khuma," he said.

Masinga started playing for Rovers and later went to Flamingo Football Club as a striker in Khuma. He was 17 years old at that time.

Soccer player spotters like Jomo Sono came to the township and that was where he was identified as a talented player.

He went on to play for Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana.

He did well and played internationally for Leeds in England and Bari in Italy.